I’ve been following Michel’s flight with great interest. An amazing achievement, speaking with Michel in Hobart EC-XLL 750lt fuel capacity gives him a 23hr flight endurance. With approx 1,200nm to Rothera Station after 10.5 hrs of flight time from Zucchelli a 130kt average airspeed should allow him a 3hr reserve? These cal’s are based on a 33lt/hr burn rate, I hope Michel hasn’t had to use high power setting for the first have of the leg. Looking at Windytv the winds on est arrival Rothera around 16:00 UTC (my cal’s) should be light cloud cover with a light southerly. Is he still planning to use ALE strip as an alternative? If you get an opportunity please pass on my congratulations & best wishes to Michel, an brave & talented aviator.

WOW! What an achievement. At the time being there is still 1080 miles to go towards Marambio, or 8hrs at 135 knots. Since he’s been travelling for 13 hrs he should be well within range plus reserve. He just circumnavigated something at 12000 feet, penguines or icebergs in the way??
Good luck my dear friend, blue skies and a happy landing!

Yes, Rothera would be much better in reach as alternate: 820 nm or 5.7 hrs at his current speed of 145 kn. We will see…

Finalmente llegará a Marambio sobre las 16/17LT Madrid. Ha conseguido recortar tiempo, gracias a los vientos que han hecho que su RV8 alcanzará los 160 nudos por momentos. Ahora vuela a 130+-…. Llegará justo de combustible, pero no CORTO.
Una proeza que le hace ya estar en los Libros de Historia de la Aviación Mundial por derecho propio. UN AVIADOR…

Felicitaciones!! Congratulations!!
Sigue adelante, y te esperamos en Comodoro!

“The importance of this moment can not be over stated. How many pilots have flown a small, hand-built single passenger aircraft around the world to cross the south pole?”

The answer is, only one other and he offers you his heartiest congratulations on this monumental achievement. I may be the only person who fully knows what you are going through and the effort and concentration required to make this flight a reality. I also understand the absolute necessity of a competent and dedicated ground crew. Congratulations to the whole team!

Bill Harrelson
Over the South Pole January 1, 2015
Lancair N6ZQ

Perfecto Michel, no esperabamos menos de ti. Te mereces un buen descanso.
Enhorabuena!

Bill Harrelson, when I wrote that statement I was wondering about you! I knew about you as an EarthRounder but did not know too many details about your flight.

Thank you for confirming that you were the first and congratulations to you too!
Don Pearsall